After our first 3 games it was hard to tell what kind of a team we had as those teams were poor. But after our first 3 PAC-12 games I think we have seen the team starting to gel into what we will be. Sort of. I'm keying in on our last 3 games and overall really like what I'm seeing. Especially defensively. Our bend but don't break defense may give up more yards than we need to but our db's are really aggressive. Make a mistake and they will make you pay. Our d-line and lb's are well above average. I really like this defense. Offensively I have to wonder just a bit. DAT & Colt don't seem to be getting as many consistent touches as I thought they would. I suspect we'll see more against ASU, USC, Stanford & OSU. Colt proved to be the man running the ball in short downs but that experiment has cooled off. I don't know why. Our receivers seem like a solid group and Morieta is coming along nicely. One thing is that against decent teams we're not getting as many big plays as I think we should. I suppose that's OK so long as we move the ball and score, but it'd be nice to see. So for the rest of the season I think only ASU (on the road) and USC will pose problems.
OSU is a good team but I don't see them within 21 points of us. OSU looks like a team with no real weaknesses, but also no dynamic offensive strengths to concern me. They'll give us a good game, but we are better both offensively & defensively. We also have substantially better talent & depth.
I think our offense is still searching for a clear identity. I think we're still a running team, but it's not the same without LMJ. Our defense, on the other hand, is playing hard, fast, energetic defense. I wish we would get to the QB a little more, and I guess I expected more from Dion Jordan this season. He has been fairly quiet the last few games. Hart is probably our best D Lineman right now. I'd like to see that change over the next few games. I think some of it has to do with only rushing three guys, and Alonso has been awesome. Our LBs are the core of our defense I think.
With respect to our offense, I agree. We seem to play well in spurts and although we're scoring points it looks herky-jerky. Or maybe LMJ was so good we're all spoiled. As to the defense, we seem to be blitzing less and often going after the QB with only 3 or 4 players as we drop people back into pass coverage. Considering teams are passing more and more this makes sense.
I think that's just it. Barner is a good player, but he's nowhere near LMJ in terms of ability. LaMichael was able to break through the secondary and get into the open field. Barner hasn't been able to do that as much. I actually really like Byron Marshall. I think he could be a Reuben Droughns type player for us. He's bigger than Barner or James, but he's still fast and elusive. Or maybe Tyner will come in and blow people away. I would just really like to see DAT get the ball more. Either on some sweeps, or a reverse, or maybe just the option. We haven't seen the option much.
Ya know, with teams increasing defensive speed so much more these days the option is becoming iffy. Also, by the time DAT would get the pitch the field is really cut down. That's why I prefer the toss sweep and let him have over 1/2 the field to make a cut or just run the corner.
remember when you were mocking me for holding this same basic high opinion of the team going into the year? To my optimism about this year's squad you said I was seeing the world through Duck colored glasses & being myopic, while (thankfully) you were here to to provide clear headed thinking that the team would struggle with QB & WR issues Welcome to reality. Unless there are injuries, this team will continue to crush STOMP
Wouldn't you say we ARE having WR issues? Our best weapons through the air are at TE and RB. Huff has been a disappointment, and I wouldn't say any of the WR have distinguished themselves from the rest. I like Stanford, but he hasn't been a mainstay on the field. CK has really spread the ball around this season. We don't have a Jeff Maehl type guy, or a Tuinei.
Whats wrong with your TE and all purpose back being the best recievers? Belichek's done it for a couple years now in New England with Gronkowski, Hernandez and Whitehead and the Saints did it last year with Graham and Sproles.
Nothing is "wrong" with it. I'm saying that our wide receivers have been disappointing so far. I had higher expectations for Blackmon, Sumler, etc. Now Sumler is gone, Blackmon is a ghost, and Huff has been awfully quiet.
pretty sure Dwayne didn't play last week... he's injured but per CK's policy it's not disclosed as to what or how severely. He's tied with Hawkins and Barner for 5th on the team in receptions with 11 but no, I don't think the team is being held back by WR play at all... Huff and Lowe are producing just fine both in blocking and receiving. Their individual stats aren't gaudy, but most of the games have been over by halftime so they've been resting the starters/spreading the wealth around and repeatedly running it up the gut to run out the clock. Oregon is 4th in all of college football in yards per game with 540 including 250 a game through the air... they're 1st in scoring. STOMP
Isn't our identity beating the hell out of people, going in at half time and adjusting, then beating the hell out of them worse in the second half? Might not be the case every game, but that's what it has been so far
Dwayne Stanford is going to be the new it reciever for Mariota and next year we get Carrington who will be electric for the Ducks... Let's also not forget Addison who's not been a slouch either!
